Austin news

• Count of Austin's homeless population will be taken for first time since 2020

  03-11-2022 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time since 2020, an Austin nonprofit will assemble volunteers to physically count the homeless population.
  Set to take place in January 2023, the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count is a one-day survey coordinated locally by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO. It offers a look at how many people are experiencing homelessness in Austin on any given night.Private donors have pushed nearly 50 million to Austin's homeless effortFor the past two
  
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• APD searching for kidnapping suspect from UT West Campus incident

  03-11-2022 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Thursday, the Austin Police Department released a sketch of a suspect wanted in connection with a West Campus neighborhood kidnapping. RELATED: Austin Police investigating attempted kidnapping near UT campusAccording to APD, the kidnapping occurred in the 2700 block of Nueces Street. The University of Texas at Austin Police Department said an attacker grabbed a female student walking in the area and tried to hold her in his vehicle before she escaped.Police previous
  
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• APD searching for kidnapping suspect

  03-11-2022 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Thursday, the Austin Police Department released a sketch of a suspect wanted in connection with a central Austin kidnapping.APD said the sketch was based on information provided by the victim.According to APD, the kidnapping occurred in the 2700 block of Nueces Street.
  
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• Man wanted in connection with deadly downtown Austin shooting

  03-11-2022 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are looking for a 21-year-old man connected with a deadly shooting near a downtown Austin hookah lounge over Halloween weekend.Police said they found Demetrius James Lee Jones in the street with gunshot wounds in the 600 block of East 7th Street, which is near Red River Street, around 4:53 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Jones died at the scene. ‘Suspicious’ death investigated in downtown AustinDuring the investigation, detectives learned Jones and another m
  
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• Man arrested in connection with deadly downtown Austin shooting

  03-11-2022 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — U.S. Marshals arrested a 21-year-old man connected to a deadly shooting near a downtown Austin hookah lounge over Halloween weekend.Ja Vaughn Katrell Clarke was arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force on Nov. 4, U.S. Marshals announced.
  U.S. Marshals said the Austin Police Department asked for their help to find and arrest Clarke. The task force conducted an investigation and learned Clarke was known to live in the north Austin area.
  On Nov. 4, the task force got info
  
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• How Moody Center will curate an Austin experience at 2023 CMT Music Awards

  03-11-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Less than a year since its grand opening, Austin's Moody Center is making waves in the music industry as the new venue for the CMT Music Awards, moving from Nashville to the Live Music Capital of the World.Country music stars Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini made the announcement during Underwood's concert at the Moody Center on Wednesday evening. The awards show will broadcast from the Moody Center April 2, 2023 on CBS, with streaming opportunities on Paramount+. Carr
  
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• TCSO finds woman’s body after credible tip, homicide investigation underway

  03-11-2022 21:56 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – On Wednesday, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office said a man was in custody after officials found the body of a woman buried beneath a burn pit at a Leander home in the 23000 block of Windy Valley Drive.The suspect, Peter Perius, 52, of Leander, was brought into custody on a driving without a license charge. TCSO said additional charges associated with the homicide investigation would be added.TCSO said it received a tip Monday that a homicide might have
  
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• Westlake wraps up 3rd consecutive district title, 50th straight win 70-10 over Buda Johnson

  03-11-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake scored early and often to cruise to a 70-10 win over Buda Johnson to wrap up the 6A-District 26 championship and notch the program's 50th consecutive win Thursday at Chaparral Stadium.It's the third consecutive district title for the Chaps, who will take on either Round Rock or Cedar Ridge in the bi-district round of the state playoffs next week. The 50th consecutive win puts the Chaps No. 3 all-time in Texas high school football history for longest win streaks. Th
  
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• Westlake-Buda Johnson game moved to Thursday, will be streamed on KXAN.com

  03-11-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Due to the potential of severe weather in the Austin area Friday, Westlake and Buda Johnson moved up their game to 7 p.m. Thursday, and it'll be streamed live on KXAN.com.It's the regular season finale for both teams, and the Chaps can claim their 50th consecutive win as they prepare for another postseason. If the Jaguars can find a way to topple the Texas giants, it would be the biggest win of the season and send shockwaves across the Texas high school football landscape.M
  
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• LIVE: Westlake going for 50th consecutive win Thursday vs. Buda Johnson

  03-11-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Due to the potential of severe weather in the Austin area Friday, Westlake and Buda Johnson moved up their game to 7 p.m. Thursday, and it'll be streamed live on KXAN.com.It's the regular season finale for both teams, and the Chaps can claim their 50th consecutive win as they prepare for another postseason. If the Jaguars can find a way to topple the Texas giants, it would be the biggest win of the season and send shockwaves across the Texas high school football landscape.M
  
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• Country's largest Buc-ee's to break ground in Central Texas

  03-11-2022 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  LULING, Texas (KXAN) — The largest Buc-ee’s travel center in the country is breaking ground in Central Texas on Nov. 16.The Luling location, located at 10070 I-10, will now occupy more than 75,000 square feet after replacing the city’s current Buc-ee’s store, which was built in 2003. RELATED: Texas to reclaim home of the largest Buc-ee’sMayor CJ Watts of Luling, former Mayor Mike Hendricks of Luling, Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Had
  
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• Burnet man sentenced for 3 of 25 child pornography charges from 2019

  03-11-2022 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A former gun store owner in Burnet was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to child pornography charges in late September.John Max Potts, 51, was convicted on three counts of possession of child pornography. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Burnet gun store owner accused of child pornography possessionA judge sentenced him to a total of 25 years in prison. Two of the charges had a 10-year sentence, and the final charge had a 5-year sentence. According to record
  
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• Warm, humid and windy as we track Friday evening storm threat

  03-11-2022 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Heat and humidity are pouring into Texas ahead of a significant storm system bringing a severe weather risk late Friday.Overnight, clouds and a few light rain showers build into the area again. Friday morning could be damp especially from Austin eastward as a few streamer showers continue, but warm and windy breaks of sunshine return early and mid-afternoon Friday.Friday between 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. appears to bring a significant severe weather threat, and the highest risk of tornad
  
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• $257 million Colony Park revitalization project moves toward construction

  03-11-2022 19:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council took steps toward a long-awaited revitalization of the Colony Park community in east Austin that will funnel jobs, affordable housing and other critical amenities to the area.
  During its Thursday meeting, city council created a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) that closes an $81 million funding gap, which pushes the Colony Park Sustainable Community project toward construction. The City's Economic Development Department said the project is the larg
  
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• Austin cat named 'Evil Meowpac' after iconic Twitter account

  03-11-2022 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of Austin Pets Alive!'s newly-available and highly-adoptable cat is named "Evil Meowpac" after the iconic and hilarious Evil Mopac Twitter account.
  Though a heartwarming nod to Austin's favorite source for collective traffic commiseration, having "Evil" in this one-year-old cat's name is a gross misnomer — just take a cursory glance at this cuddly boy's face.Hey @EvilMopacATX! How does it feel to have a mini Evil Meowpac at @austinpetsalive named after you?㈸
  
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• Texas vote-by-mail: I received a corrected ballot in the mail — what do I do now?

  03-11-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sometimes, errors can be made on mail-in ballots.
  According to the Texas Secretary of State's website, mistakes could range from when a candidate has been left off the ballot in a contested race or a candidate who was required to be removed from the ballot stayed on.
  If you're voting by mail in any Texas election, you might receive a corrected ballot by mail, if there was an error, along with a notice of correction to alert voters on how to return their ballot.
  Here's a bre
  
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• Austin researchers: Why Spanish misinformation is tougher to fight

  03-11-2022 17:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bad or misleading information on social media is nothing new, but researchers worry it's having a bigger effect on Spanish-speaking Latino communities in Texas and the rest of the country.First, a quick refresher on misinformation vs. disinformation — misinformation is false or inaccurate info. Disinformation is false or inaccurate info deliberately created and/or deliberately spread (just remember the "d" for "deliberate"). Misinformation and the midterms: What to ex
  
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• Texas State University police train on overdose medicine, receive 40 doses

  03-11-2022 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Before Thursday, Texas State University Police did not have any naloxone, the medicine that can quickly reverse a drug overdose.
  Now, they have 40 doses of it. It's thanks to Callie Crow, a paramedic and mom whose son died from a drug overdose in 2020.
  "He died from Fentanyl toxicity just one week after his 27th birthday," Crow said.After his death, Crow created a nonprofit in her son's name, Drew's 27 Chains. She goes across the state to train first responders and co
  
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• Texas State University police train on overdose medicine; get 40 doses of it

  03-11-2022 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Before Thursday, Texas State University Police did not have any naloxone, the medicine that can quickly reverse a drug overdose.
  Now, they have 40 doses of it. It's thanks to Callie Crow, a paramedic and mom whose son died from a drug overdose in 2020.
  "He died from Fentanyl toxicity just one week after his 27th birthday," Crow said.After his death, Crow created a nonprofit in her son's name, Drew's 27 Chains. She goes across the state to train first responders and co
  
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• Texas State police train on overdose medicine; get 40 doses of it

  03-11-2022 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Before Thursday, Texas State University Police did not have any naloxone, the medicine that can quickly reverse a drug overdose.
  Now, they have 40 doses of it. It's thanks to Callie Crow, a paramedic and mom whose son died from a drug overdose in 2020.
  "He died from Fentanyl toxicity just one week after his 27th birthday," Crow said.After his death, Crow created a nonprofit in her son's name, Drew's 27 Chains. She goes across the state to train first responders and co
  
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• Texas State police to train on Narcan use

  03-11-2022 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Texas State University Police are getting trained on how to use naloxone and Narcan, the medicine that can quickly reverse a drug overdose.
  The instructor is a Texas paramedic and mom. Callie Crow's son died from a drug overdose in 2020. Texas expert: Parents should have Narcan in first aid kit to fight fentanyl crisisAfter his death, Crow created a nonprofit in her son's name, Drew's 27 Chains. She goes across the state to train first responders and community members
  
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• $1M winning Powerball ticket sold in Round Rock

  03-11-2022 15:52 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A $1 million winning Powerball ticket was sold in Round Rock on Wednesday.
  According to the Texas Lottery, the ticket was sold at Jaja Accessories on Round Rock Avenue, just west of Interstate 35.
  The winning ticket matched five out of five numbers for Wednesday's drawing but not the elusive Powerball.
  Earlier this week, two other Texans won $1 million each in Monday’s Powerball prize drawings. One of those tickets was also sold in Central Texas in Cedar Pa
  
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• Buda to move to stage 2 watering restrictions on Monday

  03-11-2022 15:42 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — On Monday, City of Buda residents will be under stage two drought conservation measures.
  Under stage two restrictions, irrigation with hose-end and automatic sprinkler systems will be allowed twice per week on designated days based on address:Odd-numbered residents: Wednesdays and SaturdaysEven-numbered residents: Thursdays and SundaysCommercial, mixed-use and multi-family: Tuesdays and FridaysThe City even recommends outdoor watering be limited to one day a week to pr
  
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• These cars are most targeted for catalytic converter thefts in Texas

  03-11-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Recent years have seen an increase of more than 1,000% in catalytic converter theft, and if you own a certain type of vehicle in the south, you may be more at risk than other drivers.Which vehicles are most likely to be targeted in the south, though? Carfax found service records from more than 60,000 dealerships for catalytic converter replacements. Using that data, the company learned which vehicles were targeted the most in each region.Here are the cars most likely to have th
  
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• Volunteers needed for mass park cleanup in Austin Saturday

  03-11-2022 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This weekend you’ll have the opportunity to make sure Austin parks are clean and safe for visitors. Thousands of people will gather on Saturday for It’s My Park Day.In Austin, there are over 300 parks. On Saturday, volunteers will work on almost a third of them, taking the time to improve their own outdoor oasis.Projects include painting picnic tables, clearing brush and restoring a butterfly garden.Hosted by the Austin Parks Foundation, this event takes place t
  
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• LIST: Local schools reschedule Friday football games due to severe weather threat

  03-11-2022 14:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some schools in Central Texas are rescheduling their Friday football games due to a threat of severe weather.The First Warning Weather team said the risk for severe weather is increasing for our area Friday evening and night, with damaging winds and tornadoes being the biggest concerns. Friday severe storm threat: timing, impactsCedar CreekVarsity football against San Antonio Veterans Memorial Football will now take place Thursday at 7 p.m. at BISD Memorial Stadium, accordi
  
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• Project Shamrock, $16M project from Fortune 500 fixture Builders FirstSource, headed to Kyle

  03-11-2022 12:55 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — A Dallas-based Fortune 500 manufacturer of building materials and supplies is gearing up to relocate an Austin-area lumber yard and distribution facility to a $16 million office and warehouse site on the metro's south side.Builders FirstSource Inc. on Tuesday was approved by both the Kyle City Council and the Hays County Commissioners Court for incentives agreements that would aid the company in building at least a 47,000-square-foot project and
  
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• Is Austin getting a surf park? What we know about the Surf Lakes project

  03-11-2022 12:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Surf Lakes Holdings Ltd. turned heads a couple of weeks ago when it announced plans for "the biggest surf park development on the planet," to be built within a 400-acre community in the Austin area.The announcement said groundbreaking could happen "as early as mid-2023" but left many big questions unanswered. Executives with Australia-based Surf Lakes declined to comment further and landowners, engineering firms and others believed to be involved aren't s
  
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• Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini announce 2023 CMT Music Awards move to Austin, Texas

  03-11-2022 12:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Carrie Underwood stopped in Austin for the second time this year and is coming back again.The country superstar returned to the Moody Center Wednesday night to perform in front of Texas fans. In May, Underwood joined other country artists including Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris and The Zac Brown Band to perform as part of the iHeartCountry Festival. Migos rapper Takeoff shot dead in HoustonDuring Underwood's show Wednesday, fellow country singer Kelsea Ballerini surprised the
  
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• Highest tornado threat since March expected Friday evening

  03-11-2022 12:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As a powerful upper level storm system approaches Central Texas, heat and humidity are building on gusty southerly winds. A risk of severe weather is increasing in our area Friday evening and night, with damaging winds and tornadoes the biggest concerns.Most of the KXAN viewing area is under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for scattered severe storms Friday evening, with a higher enhanced risk (3 out of 5) for numerous severe storms in Travis, Williamson, Milam, Bastrop an
  
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• Friday severe storm threat: timing, impacts

  03-11-2022 12:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As a powerful upper level storm system approaches Central Texas, heat and humidity are building on gusty southerly winds. A risk of severe weather is increasing in our area Friday evening and night, with damaging winds and tornadoes the biggest concerns.Most of the KXAN viewing area is under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for scattered severe storms Friday evening, with a higher enhanced risk (3 out of 5) for numerous severe storms in Williamson, Milam and Lee County.
  Sca
  
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• Austin City Council: Overdose grant funding, Hays County transportation plan concerns

  03-11-2022 12:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council meets Thursday at city hall. There are nearly 100 items on the agenda. Here are some we're watching.
  Hays County transportation plan concerns
  City council could approve a resolution that asks Hays County leaders to remove proposed road projects from their county plan — and to put others on hold — after the City said it conflicts with Austin's road proposals and preservation efforts.The City said one proposed project could build a highway acro
  
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• Gas line repaired near Leander High School

  03-11-2022 11:38 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Authorities told KXAN a gas line that leaked Wednesday night in front of Leander High School was repaired as of early Thursday morning. All of South Bagdad Road is back open in the area.Leander Police posted at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday that South Bagdad Road was closed due to a large gas leak in front of the school.
  Police updated the post just after 7 p.m. to say northbound lanes were open but southbound lanes were closed until repairs could be made.
  Leander city offici
  
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• Warm and humid ahead of severe storms Friday

  03-11-2022 11:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A noticeable increase in temperatures and humidity leading up to our next cold front, and associated severe storm risk, late tomorrow.A few pockets of fog may slow this morning's commute but coverage should be lighter than what we saw develop Wednesday. Expect a mix of partly to mostly cloudy skies this afternoon with very warm (mid-80s) and humid conditions.Our next storm system approaches late tomorrow (Friday), dragging a cold front through all of the heat and humidity sittin
  
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• Supply chain issues are impacting Austin buses and ambulances

  03-11-2022 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The breadth of pandemic-induced supply chain issues now stretches to city fleets including public transportation and EMS vehicles.Capital Metro said a bus part shortage is sidelining some of their buses each day, delaying some busy routes like the MetroRapid by a couple minutes, and less busy routes by about 15 minutes.
  The public transportation agency said on a typical weekday morning, they need 345 out of their 425 buses on the road. On Tuesday, they started 19 buses short. Th
  
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• Report: International buyers made up 3% of all home sales in Austin area last year

  03-11-2022 02:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new report from the Austin Board of Realtors shows that 3% of all home sales through a year's period in the Austin-Round Rock area involved international buyers.
  Those sales add up to $613 million from April 2021 to March 2022.
  The median home price for foreign buyers came in just under $513,900, which is above the area's overall median of $500,000. The national median sales price for foreign buyers is $366,100.Homebuyers from India made up the largest share of international h
  
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• District 136 Texas House seat is on November ballot — what you need to know

  03-11-2022 01:56 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The Texas House seat for District 136 – a Williamson County district which stretches from Cedar Park to large parts of Round Rock – is up for election on Nov. 8.Keep up-to-date by going to KXAN's election page for coverage ahead of election day Nov. 8 and results.How do I know if I'm in District 136?After the redrawing of the new political maps for the state’s congressional districts in 2021, District 136 represents more than 203,500 resi
  
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• District 52 Texas House seat is on the November ballot — what you need to know

  03-11-2022 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Voters who live in State House District 52 – which stretches from east Leander to Thrall in Williamson County – will have a new person representing them at the State Capitol next session.They'll choose that representative in the Nov. 8 election.Keep up-to-date by going to KXAN's election page for coverage ahead of election day Nov. 8 and results.How do I know if I’m in District 52?The State House District 52 represents more than 201,500 residents in parts
  
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• District 20 Texas House seat is on the November ballot — here’s what you need to know

  03-11-2022 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Voters in Williamson County will choose who represents them at the State Capitol on November.District 20 covers Georgetown to parts of Cedar Park.It's one of three state House seats in the county.Keep up-to-date by going to KXAN's election page for coverage ahead of election day Nov. 8 and results.How do I know if I'm in District 20?After redrawing the political maps in 2021, the State House District 20 has new boundaries. The district represents more than 203,800 residents
  
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• Who killed Takeoff, member of rap group Migos? How you can help police solve his murder

  03-11-2022 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — Police are calling on the public to help find the killer of Migos rapper Takeoff in an effort to bring justice for the artist's family.Employees working at the establishment notified police and said that the shooting happened after the private party ended. Texas rappers, leaders react to death of TakeoffHowever, they weren't able to identify the shooter.
  Houston police said what they do know is that Takeoff was shot and killed after a private party. It was a booked event.
  
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• Beware the Texas Asp: Learn more about the dangers of the fuzzy caterpillar

  03-11-2022 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – They might look cute and fuzzy, but this is one caterpillar you'll want to stay away from.As the seasons change, the Texas Asp is making an appearance once again.Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Dr. Santos Portugal with ABC Home & Commercial Services to learn more about the insect and talk about the dangers that come with it.Nick Bannin, KXAN News: Dr. Santos, Portugal joins us from ABC Home & Commercial Services. Dr. Portugal, we're getting some reports of
  
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• Video of Astros super fan 'Mattress Mack' cursing out Phillies fans goes viral after Game 3 of World Series

  03-11-2022 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — Houston’s popular businessman/gambler, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, always has a smile on his face when you see him on TV or around town.So it’s kind of a shock to see him in a different light when a viral video was shown of McIngvale cursing at Philadelphia baseball fans on Tuesday night while at Game 3 of the World Series.McIngvale, who is a huge Houston Astros fan, was shown in the concourse of Citizens Bank Park, surrounded by security as
  
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